Posted by Deane Thrower on
URL: http://oldforum.flyshooter.com.au/Shooting-in-rough-conditions-tp5708078p5708079.html

Les,

Interesting topic. One thing I have learnt through chatting with various Fly Shooters is how important the splash plate is. Now in saying that, my experience is the splash plate will only be valuable for wind not elevation.

Expanding in that I mean during my early fly shoots I would shoot on the splash plate, hold my point of aim and adjust both wind and elevation. Then to my surprise I would go to the target and be 2-3 inches over or below my point of aim. At Batemans bay I learnt to find the centre during my warmer and left the elevation the same, as I did at Canberra.

Back to my original comment, strategy for sighters for me is everything. Previously I would shoot my first sighter and follow up with a second to confirm. Problem was I only had one left and still 5 record shots. At Canverra I put one on the sighter and if it landed near where I expected I went straight to the target and held off and put 2 on, then back to the plate and another 2 on the target, plate again and last record shot.

The Fly is a difficult beast in that seeing your holes is all you have to plan your next shot, if you can't see it you have to trust your gut. If I could give new shooters one piece of advice it would be experiment. Try different strategies as Les suggested but above all be confident and accept sometimes you get it wrong, but recognise what went wrong and try another.

When the wind is up and things are tough realise that the guys who limit the damage, that being instead of 10s 7,8,9 shots will still net you a reasonable score and be consistent in your 5 targets.

A prime example that every target counts is Mick Easton at Canberra, had a tough first target but shot consistent for the next 4. Also Mick was in detail 2 which was very tough but he limited damage and finished 3rd in LG, a huge effort given his detail got smacked bad.

There is no substitute to practice, and match practice more so. Ask questions, watch the top guys and what they do, watch the wind and pray for some luck.

Just my 2cents worth.

Cheers